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Although India is still a relatively young country, there are currently 116 million older persons in India and their number is increasing rapidly. Income security for older persons can become an increasing concern. Coverage of contributory and non-contributory schemes is still low in India. Public sector workers are well covered through a non-contributory pension scheme. Due to longer life expectancy, the number of beneficiaries of this scheme is increasing rapidly, which poses an increasing burden for the federal budget.

This project working paper discusses the prevailing system of income security for older persons in the Republic of Korea with regards to coverage, beneficiaries, and sustainability. It also discusses recently undertaken reforms of the income security system with regards to their budgetary implications. After the introduction of a mandatory pension scheme, coverage of pensions increased rapidly in the Republic of Korea. However, as the pension system in the Republic of Korea was introduced relatively late, poverty of older persons is still high.

Developing economies of the Asia-Pacific region grew by an estimated 4.5 per cent in 2015, the lowest rate since 2010, with only a modest rebound to 5 per cent growth projected for 2016. While global trade and China’s economy explain much of the recent slowdown, there are also signs of weakening productivity growth in the region. Compared to the past, lower interest rates and exchange rate depreciations have had less noticeable impact on domestic activity and exports. Meanwhile, rapid increases in household and corporate debt in some countries pose risks for financial stability.

The Regional Coordination Mechanism - United Nations Development Group Asia-Pacific Thematic Working Group on Youth, co-chaired by ESCAP and ILO, has produced this report for three main reasons. First and foremost to raise awareness of the importance of youth-related, evidence-based and strategic participatory policymaking, planning and programming. Second, to highlight the current status, challenges and opportunities for the youth of Asia and the Pacific.

ESCAP has released a new publication entitled, "Time for Equality: The Role of Social Protection in Reducing Inequalities in Asia and the Pacific". The publication explores the linkages between inequality and social protection. Overall, it argues that inequality, in its multiple forms, is on the rise in Asia and the Pacific, and is having an adverse impact on sustainable development.

Disability at a Glance 2015, the fifth edition in the Disability at a Glance series, focuses on barriers to the employment of persons with disabilities in the Asia-Pacific region, and offers solutions to strengthen their employment prospects.

Integration of economic, social and environmental dimensions is key to achieving sustainable development. There is, in general, a widespread acceptance of why the integration of the three dimensions is necessary; however, questions arise as to âhowâ this integration is to be achieved. This publication has been produced to assist policymakers in addressing the question of âhowâ to achieve integration.

In this paper, we expand the analysis of intellectual property rights (IPRs) in free trade agreements (FTAs) undertaken by Puutio (2013). Our research is based on the Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Agreements Database (APTIAD) upon which we have built a parallel database that documents trends in the inclusion of IPRs in FTAs in the Asia-Pacific region.

With the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) coming into effect, the main purpose of this publication is to serve as a resource to businesses, particularly in Myanmar and the other CLMV countries, in navigating the coming changes.

This latest biennial Review sets out transport developments in the Asia-Pacific region and serves as a mechanism for reporting on the provision of transport infrastructure and services; the challenges remaining in regional, urban and rural connectivity; and public health issues, such as road safety and emission pollutions.